Air Canada threatens to pull NHL sponsorship

[KennyBanyeah]

United and American probably wouldn't be interested since they both have their names on NHL buildings already.

For Delta he could move them to Atla...oh, right.

Not that I'm sticking up for Air Canada... or Bettman... I think they both suck, but Air Canada has it's name n a building too.

You may have heard of it, the Air Canada Center?:smile:

 

[puckhead]

Molson comes to the rescue
(remember kids: don't drink and fly... well, unless you are in the back of the plane)

Canadiens owner Geoff Molson delivers message to fans

 

[jstewismybastardson]

I posted yesterday that Gary didnt need to blister air canada publically but air canada didnt need to make a public statement either ... turns out they never wanted this to be public ... Eugene Melnyk leaking private letters lol



But the league lashed out at the airline on Thursday for meddling in its internal matters, and suggested it could take its business elsewhere. Air Canada is now refusing further comment on the issue.

In an era when brands are falling over themselves to be seen as good, ethically-minded citizens, the incident offers a case study of how quickly things can go wrong for a company that isn't prepared to back up its feelings with bold action.

Air Canada considered the letter to be private correspondence, and doesn't want to discuss it publicly, even though the story has blossomed into a major national discussion on hockey violence.

The airline flies all six Canadian NHL teams and five U.S. clubs.

The carrier’s management is defending Mr. Vandal internally, and didn’t intend for the letter to be leaked after it was sent to the NHL and six Canadian team governors.

But now that it’s out, marketing experts said the airline needs to disengage from its public relations autopilot and chart a new course. “If you’re going to start a debate, you have to be ready to join the debate,” said Alfred Dupuy, the executive director of the brand consulting firm Interbrand Canada. By refusing to fill the role it created, the airline, “loses the opportunity to really clarify the brand.”

To be fair, Air Canada is not alone in shunning the spotlight. Perhaps with an eye to the NHL’s notoriously strong control over its image – the league fines marketing partners who speak publicly without prior authorization – other sponsors quietly refused comment on the matter.

 

[puckhead]

Air Canada considered the letter to be private correspondence, and doesn't want to discuss it publicly, even though the story has blossomed into a major national discussion on hockey violence.

OK, now THAT is funny.